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Overall record versus top ten teams since 2009 is 5-6 which is actually pretty dang good - basically a coin flip.

In five home games, the Cocks are 4-1...an outstanding percentage..I would wager that record is better than any team in the nation.

Average Score = Gamecocks 22 and Top Ten Opponent 26

Overall, bet on the Gamecocks to beat anyone when playing at home (I know...17 straight so CPT Obvious statement). When the Gamecocks plays a top ten team on the road, we will likely lose. If the line is Gamecocks -9 or less at home, it is a good idea to bet on the Cocks. If the line is Gamecocks +9 or less on the road, betting against the Cocks would make money.

The rankings shown are not end of season rankings, but the ranking of the team when we played them.

That's the type of statistic that keeps other conferences relevant. Even though the media pays attention to it, it doesn't matter how highly ranked a team was when you played them, only where they ended up.

For example, look at Southern Cal in 2012. They started the season ranked #1, but finished 7-6. Sure, they were ranked #2 when they lost their first game, but it turned out to be just another loss for a mediocre team.

That's the type of statistic that keeps other conferences relevant. Even though the media pays attention to it, it doesn't matter how highly ranked a team was when you played them, only where they ended up.

For example, look at Southern Cal in 2012. They started the season ranked #1, but finished 7-6. Sure, they were ranked #2 when they lost their first game, but it turned out to be just another loss for a mediocre team.

Your argument has merit, certainly.

I ask you this, on average, where do you think the teams end up after we beat them and where do you think they end up when we lose to them?

That's the type of statistic that keeps other conferences relevant. Even though the media pays attention to it, it doesn't matter how highly ranked a team was when you played them, only where they ended up.

For example, look at Southern Cal in 2012. They started the season ranked #1, but finished 7-6. Sure, they were ranked #2 when they lost their first game, but it turned out to be just another loss for a mediocre team.

OK, let's see:

Quote:

Originally Posted by GH

I did not have anything better to do today. Please excuse any inaccuracies as I am sure there are some.

So 9 of the 11 opponents USC faced that were ranked top 10 at the time of the game actually FINISHED in the top 10 of at least ONE poll by the end of the season. Of the 2 who didn't, LSU finished just outside of the top 10 rankings...

Looking at the ones who remained top 10 in the FINAL rankings only, USC went 4-5 against them. Pretty much the same difference....

I ask you this, on average, where do you think the teams end up after we beat them and where do you think they end up when we lose to them?

Not sure I understand the question. Obviously, a team's ranking improves after a win and degrades after a loss. The point remains that it's more important to look after the season is over.

The media looks at the ranking at the time of the game because it keeps the other conferences relevant and more people interested.

The other poster brought up UCF. That's another great example. Our win over UCF on the road turned out to be a lot bigger than clemson's win over UGA at home. Nobody thought so at the time, but that was the reality.

Because 10 of the 11 examples are vs opponents from the SEC who tend in general to hold their rankings through bowl season better than teams from other conferences.

Run the same test on a few teams from the ACC or Big Ten and I bet you'll find that the "quality" wins don't hold up as strongly as in our example. Teams from those conferences tend to get exposed during bowl season.